Find the 2026 Subaru Forester in Ann Arbor, MI

2026 Subaru Forester in Ann Arbor, MI, at Subaru of Ann Arbor

Drivers searching for a small SUV that balances everyday comfort with real-world capability will find exactly that in the 2026 Subaru Forester at Subaru of Ann Arbor in Ann Arbor, MI. The latest generation Forester builds on what has made this model a long-standing favorite: standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, confident road manners, strong visibility, and a reputation for long-term durability. The 2026 Subaru Forester lineup focuses exclusively on gas-powered performance and offers six trims designed for different lifestyles, from the value-driven Base to the adventure-ready Forester Wilderness and the premium Touring.

Every Forester model delivers a composed ride, predictable handling, and a cabin that prioritizes space and usability. Compared with compact SUV rivals like the Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Rogue, Ford Escape, and Kia Sportage, the Forester continues to stand out for its upright driving position, generous rear seats, and capable all-wheel-drive system. For drivers who want a vehicle built for miles of daily driving and weekend escapes, the 2026 Forester lineup checks every box.

Forester Trim Levels Explained

The 2026 Subaru Forester is offered in six gas-powered trims, each building on the one before it with additional comfort, capability, or convenience.

• Base
• Premium
• Sport
• Wilderness
• Limited

The Touring trim sits at the top of the Forester lineup and adds the most advanced comfort and safety features available in the model range.

Interior Comfort and Passenger Space

The interior of the 2026 Subaru Forester is designed around comfort, visibility, and smart use of space. The upright cabin layout creates excellent outward sightlines for the driver, while wide-opening doors and a low step-in height make entry and exit easy for front and rear passengers. All Forester models seat five, with generous headroom and legroom in both rows.

Interior comfort features vary by trim, but every model includes a thoughtfully designed cabin with supportive front seats and a practical rear seating area. Cloth upholstery comes standard on Base and Premium trims, while Sport and Wilderness models feature durable StarTex upholstery designed to handle dirt, moisture, and daily wear. Limited and Touring trims upgrade to leather-trimmed seating, with the Touring adding ventilated front seats and heated rear outboard seats.

Key interior comfort and measurement highlights include:

• Front legroom measuring 43.3 inches
• Rear legroom measuring 39.4 inches
• Passenger volume up to 110.8 cubic feet
• Cargo space of up to 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats
• Maximum cargo capacity of up to 74.4 cubic feet with rear seats folded

The rear seats feature a 60/40 split flat-folding design across all trims, with reclining seatbacks standard on Premium and above. One-touch folding rear seatbacks are standard on Wilderness, Limited, and Touring models, making it easy to expand cargo space for gear, groceries, or road trip essentials.

Exterior Design and Color Options

The 2026 Subaru Forester keeps its clean, functional design while adding trim-specific styling cues that help each model stand apart. The Base and Premium trims emphasize simplicity and practicality, while the Sport introduces bold accents, bronze-finish wheels, and dark exterior details. The Forester Wilderness adds unique design elements such as increased ground clearance, matte black wheels, and distinctive Wilderness logos that highlight its trail-focused mission.

Exterior features available across the lineup include LED steering-responsive headlights, roof rails for added utility, heated side mirrors, a rear roof spoiler, and a panoramic power moonroof on Premium and above. The Wilderness trim adds raised roof rails designed to support rooftop tents and outdoor gear.

Available exterior paint colors include:

• Autumn Green Metallic
• Crystal Black Silica
• Crimson Red Pearl
• Sapphire Blue Pearl
• River Rock Pearl

Additional available colors across the lineup include Geyser Blue, Daybreak Blue Pearl, Ice Silver Metallic, Crystal White Pearl, Magnetite Gray Metallic, and Dark Mahogany Pearl.

Gas Engine Performance and Ride Quality

Every 2026 Subaru Forester gas model is powered by a 2.5-liter SUBARU BOXER engine paired with a Lineartronic CVT. This engine produces smooth, predictable power and contributes to the Forester’s balanced ride quality and confident handling. The horizontally opposed engine layout helps lower the center of gravity, improving stability during cornering and highway driving.

Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive comes standard on every Forester, delivering consistent traction in rain, snow, and light off-road conditions. Subaru Intelligent Drive allows the vehicle to adjust throttle response for different driving situations, while Active Torque Vectoring enhances cornering stability.

Performance and capability highlights include:

• Standard Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive
• Subaru Intelligent Drive with selectable modes
• Lineartronic CVT with manual shift mode on select trims
• Active Torque Vectoring for improved cornering control
• Trailer Stability Assist across all trims

EPA-estimates vary by trim, with most Forester models achieving up to 33 mpg highway and 26 mpg city based on EPA-estimates. Actual mileage will vary depending on driving conditions and habits.

Off-Road Capability and Forester Wilderness

The 2026 Subaru Forester Wilderness is engineered for drivers who want more than light trail duty. This trim features increased ground clearance measuring up to 9.3 inches, all-terrain tires, and a revised suspension setup designed to handle rough roads and uneven terrain. Dual-function X-MODE with Hill Descent Control comes standard, allowing drivers to select settings for snow, dirt, mud, and deep snow.

Additional Wilderness-specific equipment includes a front skid plate, full-size spare tire, enhanced towing capability, and exterior accents that signal its off-road intent. The Wilderness trim also supports a higher maximum towing capacity than other Forester models, making it suitable for small trailers or outdoor equipment.

Technology and Infotainment Features

The technology in the 2026 Subaru Forester focuses on usability and driver awareness. The standard Subaru Multimedia System includes touchscreen controls and smartphone integration, while upper trims add a large 11.6-inch high-resolution display with navigation.

Technology features available across the Forester lineup include:

• Subaru Multimedia System with touchscreen display
• Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ integration
• Bluetooth® wireless connectivity
• Available 11.6-inch touchscreen with navigation
• Wireless device charging
• 4G LTE Wi-Fi capability
• Remote vehicle access through MySubaru Connected Services

The Touring trim also includes a fully digital instrument cluster and premium audio, creating a more refined driving environment without sacrificing functionality.

Subaru Safety and Driver Assistance

Safety remains a core strength of the 2026 Subaru Forester. Every model includes EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, which uses forward-facing cameras to monitor traffic and assist the driver. These systems are designed to help reduce fatigue and improve awareness during daily driving.

Standard and available safety features include:

• EyeSight Driver Assist Technology
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Pre-Collision Braking
• Lane Departure and Sway Warning
• Blind-Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist
• Rear Cross-Traffic Alert
• Reverse Automatic Braking
• DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System on Touring

With its comprehensive safety suite and strong structural design, the Forester continues to appeal to drivers who prioritize peace of mind alongside capability.

How the 2026 Forester Compares to Previous Models

Drivers familiar with outgoing Forester models will notice meaningful improvements in the 2026 generation. Compared with the last three to five model years, the new Forester offers a quieter cabin, updated interior design, more advanced safety features, and expanded technology options. Ride quality has also been refined, with improved suspension tuning that enhances comfort without sacrificing control.

The Forester Wilderness trim has evolved with better ground clearance and more trail-ready hardware, while upper trims like Limited and Touring now offer more premium features that were previously unavailable. These updates make the 2026 Forester one of the most well-rounded versions of the model to date.

Financing and Next Steps at Subaru of Ann Arbor

Subaru of Ann Arbor offers flexible finance rates and financing opportunities for qualified buyers interested in the 2026 Subaru Forester. Financing programs may be available for a limited time and are subject to approval. Our team is happy to help drivers explore options that align with their needs and long-term plans.

If you are also considering certified pre-owned Subaru SUVs or exploring other Subaru vehicles such as the Solterra, our inventory includes additional vehicles worth a closer look. Visit Subaru of Ann Arbor to build your vehicle, search vehicles online, or schedule a test drive and experience the capable Forester for miles ahead.

* All fuel economy mpg listing in the content above are EPA estimates. Actual mileage will vary.

* Bluetooth® word marks and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Subaru is under license. A compatible Bluetooth®-enabled phone must first be paired. Phone performance depends on software, coverage, and carrier.

*Disclaimer: This content was drafted with AI assistance for initial drafting, reviewed by a subject-matter expert for accuracy, and edited by our team of writers and editors.